‘ VALMIKI PRATIBHA ‘ by Rabindranath Tagore

This acclaimed musical theater by Tagore , explores the spiritual journey of the mind through , the gruesome tale of dacoit RATNAKAR . . . to the enlightened soul . . . sage poet VALMIKI , composer of RAMAYAN . There by setting the most revered transformation of a human , from a barbaric to an icon of peace and knowledge , since ancient times . The literally rich and spiritually absolute , epic poetry piece RAMAYAN , leaves us amazed in disbelief of maharishi VALMIKI’s past as a merciless DASYU .

This is where the inceptors of the project saw the possibilities of . . . REFORM . Over a couple of years now , the inmates of the state prison , who had enrolled to offer themselves . . . . to allow their ‘SELF’ to the process of aesthetic , psychological and most importantly a spiritual makeover . . . . Have ! set an example to the society , resonating the transformation of VALMIKI .

Serving a life term in PRISON . . . SECLUDED , in a world of their loneliness . . . repentant and aggrieved hearts found solace in cultural activities through literature , music and performing arts . . . . that ! and a motherly affection of Alokananda Roy , did break the hardened mantle , to release the humane` selves of the convicts .

The project has witnessed an increase in the number of participation from a reluctant odd few to over hundreds . . . and rising in numbers ! They have embraced this movement to come across , as a mass that realizes . . . peace , love and services to the conscience , would be the ultimate salvation of their lives . They believe in making an endeavour through the staging of ‘ VALMIKI PRATIBHA ‘ . . . that others would see the futility of pursuing crime and violence in the society . Convicts serving a life term in various state prisons of West Bengal have come together to perform for the cause of REFORM and to pay their rightful dues to the society .

In the words of the I. G. Prison – B. D. Sharma , “ to make corrections you got to be the instrument . . . rather than ! staying out of the system and opine “ . . .

Alokananda Roy , etches the sentiments of a mother when she says with pride – “ each one of them is my VALMIKI , ‘cause . . . each one has washed off their sins with tears of repentance and humbled further . . . to realize the value of LIFE , with a heart for selfless love , through hard work and dedication “.

THE APPEAL : . . . DOES it require further reasoning and logistics for us ,’ THE DISCERNING and RATIONAL SOCIETY ‘ to wake up to their call ? . . .

Should we rather , as respectable citizens raise questions to the legal system and the government on the crime quotient ? . . . expecting them to make the difference . . .

Is it not , but fair , that a CRIMINAL be prosecuted and rightfully punished ? . . . DEFINITELY ! by all means . . .

A crime committed can not be redone to an act of goodness , TRUE ! . . . but a criminal could be reformed to negate CRIME from the core . AND ! if that is a bleak possibility . . . let us , for once try in a very small way to counter crime and negate the possibilities of nurturing a whole new generation of criminals . All we ask for is your acceptance and appreciation . . .